Patricia Johnston Thomas died peacefully on June 10, 2025, surrounded by love; her three children, her brother, and her sister-in-law by her side. She lived her life with kindness, warmth, and an open heart, and she left this world the same way.
Born on Mother’s Day, May 11th, 1947 in Vernal, Utah to Tenney and Helen Johnston. Patricia got her name thanks to her older brother Jimmy, who, at six years old, was deeply smitten with a girl at school named Patricia. Too shy to tell her, he instead suggested her name for his new baby sister. And so Patricia she became, thanks to first-grade love.
Patricia is survived by her children Hilary Helen Thomas, Patrick Thomas (Tam), and Erik Thomas (Chelsey); her grandchildren Chase Newman, Tess Newman, and Sam Thomas; her brother Jim Johnston (Dorothy); her many beloved cousins, family, and friends; and her loyal stray-turned-house-cat, Ginger who has been lovingly adopted and now called “Gigi”.
She was effortlessly cool. She loved music and flowers, especially lilacs, the Beatles and Willie Nelson. She was an avid reader, a proud waitress, Trekkie, and a formidable Wordle sparring partner. Her animal spirit was the wolf, and like it, she moved through life in tune with nature and her own rhythm, non conforming, full of grace.
Patricia had striking blue eyes – the kind strangers would comment on – although we suspect what they saw was the unconditional love and gentleness behind them. She was endlessly accepting, nonjudgmental, and made you feel safe. She was “Mom” not just to her own kids, but to many of their friends. A chosen family as important, and loved, as any other.
She celebrated the moon and seasons with joy and spiritual reverence. There’s a family story that as a little girl, she noticed the moon followed her on a car ride and asked her mom if she could have it – her mom said yes. Patricia died under the light of a strawberry moon, If you knew her, that just makes sense.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 9th at 1:00 PM at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, 569 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Please come as you are, colorful and casual clothing encouraged. If you knew Patricia, you know she’d think Birkenstocks and T-shirts were just right.
Although she will be missed beyond words, part of her stays with us. Good night moon, shine on.
